Abstract: Liquid level monitoring apparatus for monitoring the level of a liquid in a container having a wall with an exterior surface and an interior surface and formed of a material which is substantially transparent to optical energy and which has an index of refraction different from that of the liquid. The apparatus comprises an optical sensor holder and adhesive means adapted to secure the sensor holder to the exterior surface of the container at a predetermined level. A sensor head is provided. An attachment mechanism is carried by the sensor head and the sensor holder for detachably mounting the sensor head on the sensor holder. A self-contained power supply is provided which is coupled to the sensor head.

Abstract: A device for the preparation of sterile pharmaceutical solutions for intravenous use includes a first bag (1), a second bag (8), and a filtration unit (5). The filtration unit (5) has an inlet tube and an outlet tube, the inlet tube of the filtration unit (5) being attached to an outlet port in the first bag (1) and the outlet tube being connected to an inlet port through which aqueous solvent may be introduced. The first bag (1) has a flexible lining that defines a chamber and a plurality of individual storage containers (3) attached to the lining of the chamber. The containers (3) have tops that may be snapped off by manipulation of the lining opposite the chamber. The removal of the container allows ingredients contained within to be individually released into the chamber on demand. The combination of the ingredients and the aqueous solvent forms a pharmaceutical solution of known composition.

Abstract: Blood bag having affixed thereto a label, portions of which are adapted to permit enhanced gas transmissibility between the interior and exterior of the bag. In preferred embodiments the affixed label has an outwardly facing surface adapted to provide useful information about the bag or bag contents and an inwardly facing surface having raised portions and depressed portions with the label generally adhering to the bag surface via only the raised or selected raised portions.

Abstract: A liquid container is packaged in a box having a removable handle which also acts as a closure device for the opening and closing of the box. The liquid may be bulk sterile fluids, chromatography buffers, industrial enzymes packaged in glycerol, liquid nutrient solutions, and similar liquids. The container comprises an inner bladder made of polyvinyl chloride. The inner bladder is wrapped in a carbon dioxide/oxygen gas barrier. This gas barrier may be in the form of a plastic bag. The gas barrier reduces or prevents the deterioration of the liquid in the inner bladder. The inner bladder has three ports for accessing the liquid. These ports are of a septum-type which can indicate tapering, The inner bladder also has a fill tube for use in filling, and a metal hook for hanging if the inner bladder, is removed from the box. The box is designed to support weight sufficient to allow stacking of several boxes with associated filled inner bladders.

Abstract: A tamper evident closure apparatus is described in which a closure sensing switch is positioned inside of a container for nonprescription drugs and the like for producing a lid removal signal upon the removal of the lid from the container. A sound signal generator responds to the lid removal signal and generates an auditory sound of safety signal informing the person opening the container that the lid has not been previously removed. A safety circuit also responds to the removal of the lid and inhibits the sound signal generator from responding to a second or subsequent lid removal signal so that the replacement and subsequent removal of the lid will not trigger the generation of a second sound of safety signal.

Abstract: A composite body fluid sample container is provided which incorporates at least one dry chemistry test strip into the structure with a shrink-wrap film whereby a plurality of chemically impregnated patches are exposed simultaneously in a self-contained device to provide instant response to a specimen introduced into the container. Moreover, the device separates the test strip from the remainder of the specimen so as to provide for additional testing if required. In addition, the device maintains the specimen, and the impregnated test strip isolated from exposure to contamination while at the same time keeping the specimen, if diseased, from contaminating handlers of the device. Finally, the device protects against breakage and any resulting leakage or contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus for surgical aspiration and monitoring of the aspirated fluids includes a sealable aspiration bottle supported by an electronic weighing scale on a base stand. The bottle includes tubing connectors joined to a negative gauge pressure source and to an aspirating surgical instrument. A pair of electrodes extend into the bottle and are connected to an electronic circuit which measures the impedance of the fluid/tissue aspirate in the bottle. A microprocessor receives the impedance and net weight data of the aspirate, determines the relative amounts and net weights of fluid and tissue in the aspirate, and displays this information on a visual display.

Abstract: A protective safety container for encasing toxic drug filled glass vials is disclosed. The container includes a molded plastic body that is shaped to conform to the shape of a vial to be protected. A plurality of spaced longitudinal ribs are formed on the inner surface of the container body that act to engage the vial and hold it firmly in position, and also form a cushioning air space between the vial and the container. A molded plastic annular base is adapted to be snap fitted into the body such that the vial cannot be easily removed once it is secured within the container. Disposed in the top of the container is a small aperture having a frangible disk disposed therein. The disk may be removed so that a hypodermic needle may be inserted into a stopper in the vial to withdraw the vial's contents. The aperture is too small, however, to permit removal of the stopper itself.

Abstract: A visual (as opposed to mechanical or electronic) method for detecting the state of dehydration (or hydration) of a biomedical hydrogel is disclosed. The method contemplates incorporating a pH sensitive indicator into the hydrogel as it is prepared and applying the hydrogel to the skin-contacting surface of a biomedical device such as an electrode. Shortly before the biomedical device is to be used, the color of the hydrogel on the device is visually compared with its freshly-prepared color to determine the approximate state of dehydration of the gel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are shown for eliminating mistakes during plasmapheresis procedures in returning red blood cells to a correct donor. In the procedure, a portion of the return blood flow line is rendered inoperative by a lock device. A key, unique to the donor, is attached to the blood collection bag prior to the centrifuging operation which separates the blood into plasma and red blood cells. After the centrifuge operation, flow between the collection bag and the donor can only be established by utilizing the unique key in the correct lock box.

Abstract: A sterile testing and dispensing apparatus is adapted for insertion into a sterile aseptically packaged container to permit the contents of the container to be tested and then dispensed. The apparatus includes a dispensing tube and a pH indicator removably received in the dispensing tube. When inserting the dispensing tube into the container through an appropriate hole or weakened area therein, the pH indicator is automatically exposed to the contents of the container. The pH indicator can then be withdrawn from the dispensing tube and visually examined to determine the presence or absence or spoilage.

Abstract: An aspirator for withdrawal of secretions from wounds has an evacuated vessel wherein the subatmospheric pressure prior to admission of secretions into its interior is maintained at a level of between about 0.8 and 1 bar. The vessel carries indicia denoting (e.g., in percent or in milliliters) the known-in-advance maximum quantity if secretions which can be sucked into the vessel by way of a cannula as well as lesser quantities which accumulate in the vessel while the pressure rises above the predetermined level as a result of admission of secretions.

Abstract: A container (34) includes first and second chambers (40, 42) for the storage of two substances (44, 46) such as medical liquids. The chambers are separated by a chamber-communicating assembly (61) which is selectively opened by an operator for mixture of the two substances and delivery to a patient. A leak detection compartment (62) encloses the assembly (61) between the two chambers, including a periperhal channel (76) and ridges (80) on the assembly (61).When seal integrity between the container wall sheets (36, 38) and the assembly (61) is less than complete, the leak detection compartment both prevents liquid in one chamber from entering the other through the leak pathway and also assures detection of the leak during the manufacturing operation.

Abstract: A plurality of cuvettes joined together by breakable links between each cuvette for use in testing blood for its ABO classification and the presence of a typical antibodies, and for crossmatching blood for compatibility, together with label means for indicating the reagents used in each cuvette and the identity of the person whose blood is being tested. The cuvettes may be adapted to accept a closure means which permits the cuvettes to be pre-packaged with reagents required to carry out blood tests. The cuvettes have a hydrophilic polymer coating thereon that is non-destructive of red blood cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package protecting its contents from the influence of light, microbial contamination and gas transport in either direction but which makes possible a visual control of the contents before the package is used.According to the invention, the package is made of a light-proof outer bag (1) and a light permeable inner bag (3) arranged inside the outer bag. The outer bag (1) and the inner bag (3) are each sealed at one of their ends (2,4) and are bonded around their periphery (6) close to their other end, and the two bags extend over this bond and are then commonly joined and sealed. By opening one of the end seals in the outer bag (1), the inner bag (3) can be turned out of the outer bag, and the contents (5) of the package can be observed visually through the inner bag.The package of the invention is especially suitable for storage of preparations for parenteral administration and especially infusion solutions intended to be given intravenously.

Abstract: A container having a unique two chamber construction provides for the passive mixing of two supply solutions having different specific gravities into a single homogenous solution in a closed environment. The container includes means for a positive test that a single homogenous solution has been achieved. The container is especially useful for storing and mixing two supply solutions which when mixed form a single medical solution which itself is unsuitable for storage over extended time periods.